Scottish Fact of the Day: Whisky
Tracing the origins of Scotland’s national drink
• The word ‘whisky’ comes from the Gaelic word ‘uisgebeatha’, which translates as ‘water of life’.
• Archaeological evidence suggests that whisky was distilled in Scotland over 6,000 years ago; the Scottish Parliament belatedly introduced a whisky tax in 1644. Around 60-70% of the price of whisky in Scotland is subject to tax levies.
• Glenlivet became Scotland’s first licensed distillery in 1823.
• 1978 was blended whisky’s golden year, selling over 300 million litres - sales have declined steadily since.